To write a biography
of Samuel Liddel "MacGregor" Mathers seems an almost
impossible
task. He was a master of concealment in true Rosicrucian style. Unlike
many of
his students and contemporaries, Mathers and his wife, Moina, chose to
live
a quiet,
hermetically sealed life, applying the bulk of their energy and talents
to the
"Great
Work" (spiritual union with the Divine) rather than waste precious time
making
headlines. This biography will not attempt to cover every aspect of Mathers'
life.
We will attempt to disspell some fabricated information and to cover some
highlights
of his magical life.
Mathers was born in 1854, at 11 De Belevoir Place, in London. Early in
life,
he developed
interests in boxing as well as military strategies. Later in life he would
write
a book on the latter. In 1877, Mathers was initiated into Masonry. While,
to an
American
this might indicate an occult interest, to a person living in London at
that
time,
it was the right thing to do. Even today, Masonry is as common in London
as
corn in
Iowa. Mathers was initiated at Bournemouth into the Lodge of Hengest No.
195. He
was sponsored by a E.L.V. Rebbeck, a well-known real estate agent.
Mathers
progressed through Entered Apprentice, Fellow Craft and finally to Master
Mason.
This he accomplished in less than 18 months. By 1882 Mathers had resigned
from the
Lodge. One can only wonder as to why. In any event it seems he had more
important
work to apply his energies to, but that important work would not rise from
the horizon
for several years. That work, of course, was the formal creation of the
English/American
Order called the Golden Dawn.
Mathers was soon introduced to Dr. Wynn Westcott and Dr. William
Woodman
(both high-ranking Masons). History dictates that it was Westcott and
Woodman
who introduced Mathers to the "Societas Rosicruciana in Angelia." The
SRIA was
and is a Rosicrucian Society, open only to Master Masons (Do not
confuse
S.R.I.A. in London with the current S.R.I.A. in America). During this time
period,
Mathers also became good friends with one Fredrick Hockley. Hockley was
a metallurgist,
alchemist, and avid crystal gazer. No doubt Mathers and Hockley did
some work
together and that Hockley had a definite influence on Mathers and his
teachings
as they relate to scrying in the Spirit Vision (Mathers would later perfect
scrying:
Traveling in the Spirit Vision with the use of specific symbols and flashing
colors,
etc.)Upon admission into the S.R.I.A. Mathers took the motto, "S Rioghail
Mo Dhream
(SRMD) (Royal is my Race). While some historians believed this Motto
to be
a statement about Mathers' Highlander ancestory (this is the motto of the
MacGregor
Clan), it is clear to the initiated that the depth of meaning of this motto
is
of one
who may have already been initiated into the Advanced Mysteries. The Royal
Race being
the handful of truth seekers dedicated to the Spiritual evaluation of
humankind.
The Royal Race is that thin line of initiated Masters who have kept the
Mysteries
alive throughout all antiquity.
Mathers also took up a bit of soldiering. He joined the First Hamshire
Infantry
Volunteers.
He translated a military manual from French into English.It must be noted
at this
point that Mathers earned a living doing a variety of jobs. Occultism was
his
life and
money was a necessary evil for survival. It does not seem to be the main
focus
of his life. Therefore, I will not cover in this biography the various
jobs that
Mathers
had.
With the help of Dr. William Wynn Westcott, Mathers made the first English
translation
of Knorr Von Rosenroth's Kabbalah Denudata. It was at this time in his
life that
Mathers also formed a pathway to the hidden Secret Chiefs of the Third
Order,
or should we say, they opened up a pathway to him. He knew his destiny
even four
or five years before the formation of the Golden Dawn was to teach
serious
students and carry forth the Order into Britain and eventually America.
Because
of this "call" he devoted his time to writing, researching and study. He
lived
as poor
as a Church mouse and often went days without eating. Yet, even in a
weakened
state physically, he could earn a few shillings as a boxer or some other
kind of
work.
By 1887, the Kabbalah Denudata was finished and a greater Work Mathers
was to
begin. The work of building a Fraternity of those who were hungry for
Hidden
Knowledge to be called the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. Even at
this early
stage, Mathers, no doubt had a vision that the Golden Dawn would one
day be
an international fraternity available to all those who were serious about
learning
the Mysteries.
It was in late 1886 or 1887 that Mathers was handed the Cipher Manuscript
to translate.
The code was simple. The code of the Cipher Manuscript was from a
15th century
code originated by the Abbott Trithemius. History records that it was
Westcott
who commissioned Mathers to translate the code and to use it as a
skeleton
for what would later be known as the Outer Order Initiations of the Golden
Dawn.
Some historians now believe that Mathers and Westcott were already
initiated
into the Rosicrucian Mysteries and that the Ciphers were a method of
protecting
their own personal oath of secrecy. (For more information on the Cipher
Mss. please
read, The Truth About the Cipher Mss.)
It was Westcott, Mathers and Woodman who would comprise the first
governing
body of the newly formed Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. These
three
were well acquainted with working together as they were also the governing
trust
of the S.R.I.A. with Westcott as Supreme Magus. I might diverge for a moment
by stating
that many occultists are amazed at the movement, the poetic workings and
the effectiveness
of the G.D. initiations compiled and written by Mathers. Few could
read his
other works and then read his initiations and not agree that he was inspired
from the
invisible. Even William Butler Yeats was not beyond borrowing images from
the rituals
that Mathers composed.
The task now was to enlist serious students into the new Order. Mathers
was
heavily
influenced by a Dr. Anna Kingsford and her associate, Edward Maitland.
They were
the founders of the Hermetic Society and very close friends with Mathers.
He picked
up a lot of his beliefs from Anna Kingsford and insisted that one of those
beliefs
be incorporated into the G.D. That belief was that women should be allowed
within
the Order, on a completely equal basis with men. Mathers was insistent
on this
point
and until Westcott and Woodman agreed, he would not proceed. All were in
agreement
with Mathers and women were allowed into the Order on an equal basis
with men.
Mathers and the new Order were about to make history that would
change
the occult world forever.
Thus, in 1887 much happened of great importance in the life of Samuel Liddel
"MacGregor"
Matthers: 1) He completed his first literary work, The Kaballa
Denutata,
2) He helped to create the Golden Dawn, 3) He met his future wife Mina
Bergson
for the first time at the British Museum. She was an artist, a graduate
of the
Slade
Art School and was at the Museum studying Egyptian art. From there they
had
a short
engagement and were married. Mina, who by then had adopted the name
Moina,
became an improtant, life-long partner of MacGregor and she was one of
the
most influential
and knowledgeable in G.D. studies. After his death, years later, it
would
be Moina Mathers who would carry the Banner and keep the true Order
alive.
After the Order had been in operation for a time, Mathers realized the
need for
a "second"
or "inner" Order. While on the outside it may have looked like an addition
to the
Outer Order, in fact there had always been a Second or Inner Order and
under
the direction of Mathers it was open for Members of the Golden Dawn.
Together
with Moina, and under the direction of Third Order contacts, the Second
Order
was formulated.
If I may divert for a moment again, hindsite illustrates that perhaps one
of the
gravest
mistakes Mathers made in the governance of the Second Order was the
admission
of unworthy candidates. The inflation of the ego is large enough as a
person
rises through the Outer Order grades, if that person isn't aged enough
like a
fine wine
and allowed to advance too soon into Second Order work, the results can
be disasterous.
The ego is now completely unchecked and feeding off a current much
stronger
than was available in the Outer Order. Behavior such as rumor mongering,
schisming
and self-grandizing are the result. This is partially what would befall
the
Second
Order of the G.D. at the turn of the century when the Order would go
through
a disasterous revolt by Adepts who probably should have never reached the
Second
Order.
Around 1890-91 Mathers and his wife moved to Paris. He had established
the
Inner
Order and felt he was being called to Paris by the Secret Chiefs. In Paris,
initially,
Mathers and Moina lived in extreme poverty. His main source of income was
a Annie
Horniman who was living in London, a friend of Moina's, and a member of
the Order.
It was two years after moving to Paris that Mathers established a working
Temple
in Paris. The Temple was called Ahathoor. While in Paris, Mathers was still
Chief
in charge of the Second Order. He enjoyed temporary success when he
created
with his wife the "Rites of Isis". These were public rites that seemed
to earn
him some
acclaim. His main task and goal, however, was to bring forth more
information
for the Order, to build a strong circulation for the higher grades.
While living in Paris, there is much speculation that Mathers also visited
Egypt,
Germany
and America. While no definitive evidence proves to the sceptical that
he
made these
visits, the reasons and motivations would seem obvious. In Egypt he
could
continue his research into the Ancient Mysteries. In Germany he could meet
and report
to fellow Brethren on the progress and state of the Order. In the United
States
he would conduct necessary initiations and advancements, provide additional
teachings
and, in general, provide the necessary foundation for the continued growth
of the
Order in America. Mathers also made frequent trips back to London to deal
with Order
business.
One of his more painful duties was the suspension of Annie Horniman in
1896.
Horniman
was one of the richest women in England. She was a benefactor to
Mathers,
which thus allowed him to continue his work and research for the Order.
Nevertheless,
unswayed by his personal needs and realizing that to dismiss her from
the Order
would cause him great financial hardship, he proceeded without hesitation.
She was
dismissed for medling and mischief-making in Order affairs; not an
uncommon
problem that must be dealt with by any good Order Chief.
In 1897, Dr. William Wynn Westcott withdrew from the Order. Aleister
Crowley
had insinuated that Mathers caused Westcott's withdrawal. This is an
absolute
bogus allegation. It was obvious that there was a relationship strain between
Mathers
and many of the British Adepti, which would indicate that he would have
needed
the support of Westcott. Also, it is obvious that the relationship between
Mathers
and Westcott was not strained as many would have us believe, for Westcott
continued
to sign grade advancements and important Order documents long after his
public
withdrawal. In addition, there is at least one instance where Mathers
borrowed
money from him. This whole fabrication was launched by Crowley to
portray
Mathers as a jealous, ambitious person. Crowley had his motives, not the
least
of which were self-seeking and his own personal ambition. However, that
would
come some years later, long after the revolt of 1900.
The turn of the century brought about hard and difficult times for Mathers.
A
schism
at the Isis-Urania's Second Order began. While there are various excuses
for
the schism,
these were never valid reasons. One of the accusations launched and
often
recited by those who favored the revolt was that Mathers was an autocratic
ruler.
Nothing could be farther from the truth. An autocratic ruler does not empower
others
with high position and standing as Mathers did. An autocratic ruler wants
a
hands-on
decision in everything. Mathers, on the other hand, moved to Paris and
provided
guidance
to his Adepts in London, but empowered them with the
leadership.
It was only after constant abuses of power and a lack of general respect
for the
tradition, the Order, and the Chief of that Order, that Mathers wrote his
famous
manifesto. I have printed Mathers' manifesto at the end of this biography
for
those
interested.
In any event, the animals were now running the zoo, and in gratitude for
15
years
of dedication to their learning (virtually all Order teachings came through
Mathers),
they broke away and began their own current and Order. Incidentally, it
is
from this
current and Order that years later Israel Regardie would come, not from
Mathers.
We will not illucidate any more on the schism other than that it really
should
be the
subject of a separate article.
It was shortly after the rebellion that another problem presented itself.
We will
refer
to it as the Horos scenario. The Horos' were con people; Mr. And Mrs. Theo
Horos.
This couple had carved out a living for a number of years as "confidence
frauds
with an occult slant." The Horos' had apparently developed some kind of
confidence
with one of the American Temples and had either acquired or forged
some order
credentials. Based on these credentials and a mesmeric personality, the
Horos'
werre able to con Mathers out of Order documents. At this time Mathers
was still
living in Paris and when Mathers relayed that he had been conned, the
Horos
conveniently disappeared and moved to London. In December of 1901, a
case of
rape was brought to court in London against the Horos'. The newspapers
soon filled
their pages with articles on the Horos and the G.D. (The G.D. was
dragged
into the scandal because the Horos were masquerading as the G.D.). It was
because
of this scandal that the rebellion Temple changed their name to the Stella
Matutina
and the Golden Dawn under Mathers became known as the Alpha et.
Omega.
In 1903, Aleister Crowley, who was now of the belief that he was the "Golden
Child",
so to speak, and the new Chief of the Order, defected from Mathers. It
would
be years later, in 1910, that Crowley would break his Adept oath and publish
extracts
from the G.D. rituals and teachings in his twice yearly publication called
The
Equinox.
Around this time, Mathers returned to London and remained there for
about
two years. We are not certain if Moina was with him at this time. The primary
reason
for his return to London was research. However, he still had some loyal
Adepti
in London.
In 1912, Mathers returned to Paris. He would research and later provide
a
suitable
translation of the Grimoire of Armadel. Mathers was also responsible for
the Greater
Key of Solomon, perhaps the more important document in Ceremonial
magic.
In his later life, it is rumored that Mathers and his wife attended a Catholic
Church.
If they converted, there is no record of such. One must realize that, besides
Anna Kingsford
in his earlier life, Mathers was without question influenced by the
writings
and works of Eliphas Levi. Thus, it is possible that Mathers may have
enjoyed
the occult symbolism of the Mass, and the interchangeability of Isis with
Mary,
Queen of Heaven.
In any event, World War I came and Mathers lived just long enough to see
the
victory
of the Allies in the Autumn of 1918. From here, on things become a bit
cloudy.
We are told that Mathers died in his apartment in the Rue Rivera on
November
20, 1918. We are later told by Dion Fortune that Moina informed her he
had died
of the influenza epidemic, yet we have never been able to dig up (pardon
the pun)
any death records of Mathers, nor is there any grave. While Moina
possessed
a death certificate, there are no court records. While I am not trying
to
prove
a point, I am pointing out that there are many unanswered questions regarding
Mathers'
death. It is interesting to note that his death date of November 20, 1918
equals
32, the number of paths on the Tree of Life. 3 + 2 = 5, the points of the
perfected
man completely ruled by the Higher Self (Spirit).
In conclusion, Mathers was a special human being who brought forth a sense
of dedication
and hard work to the Mysteries. He believed in the human potential
and the
ability of a human being to rise beyond and eventually "become more than
human."