[Questions about FLO can be mailed to Christopher Ward at cward@think.com] PROSPECTUS FRATERNITAS L.V.X. OCCULTA Our name, Fraternitas L.V.X. Occulta, is Latin for "Fraternity of the Hidden Light." L.V.X. (Lux) Occulta refers to the hidden Light of God resident in all things, the Spirit of the Divine. Our name thus indicates that we are a brotherhood in quest of the Light of God. Through application of a Qabalistic numerological system known as Gematria, the words "Lux Occulta" equate to the phrase "The stone which the builders rejected," and refers to the legend concerning the building of King Solomon's temple, where the rejected stone became the cornerstone of the temple, the Temple of God and indwelling place of His Holy Shekinah. PURPOSE The Fraternity of the Hidden Light is a New Age Mystery School of the Western Mystery Tradition, organized for the following threefold purpose: I. To act as a modern day repository of the Ancient Wisdom teachings of the Tarot, Qabalah, Alchemy, Astrology, and related Arts and Sciences. II. To train its members for unselfish service to humanity, by providing a seeding-ground for their growth and development through group and individual applications of the Wisdom teachings. III. To promulgate the Ancient Wisdom teachings in an effort to elevate the thought of life of a humanity at large, and help herald the coming of a universal brotherhood on earth. WESTERN MYSTERY TRADITION The Western Mystery Tradition refers to those occidental teachings and practices promulgated by the Mystery Schools, and handed down through the centuries in the form of a tradition. Here, the word "Mystery" is meant in its original sense as derived from the Greek word "Mysferion", meaning a secret rite or ceremony. Hence, by Western Mystery Tradition is meant a body of esoteric knowledge and secret ceremonial practices inherited by Western man. In a sense, it is the Yoga of the West. MYSTERY SCHOOLS Mystery Schools are individualized expressions of the Western Mystery Tradition, wherein ceremonial practices portray Sacred Dramas, Exhibiting some significant legends of nature's changes, of the visible universe in which Divinity is revealed, and of the Journey of the Soul of man. Albert Pike, the great American historian of Freemasonry, says of the Mysteries: "nature is the great teacher of man; for it is the revelation of God. It neither dogmatizes nor attempts to tyrannize by compelling to a particular creed or special instruction. It presents its symbols to us, and adds nothing by way of explanation. It is the text without the commentary; and, as we well know, it is chiefly the commentary and gloss that lead to error and heresy and persecution. The earliest instructors of mankind not only adopted the lessons of nature, but as far as possible adhered to her method of imparting them. In the mysteries, beyond the current traditions of sacred and enigmatic recitals to the Temples, few explanations were given to the spectators, who were left, as in the school of nature, to make inferences for themselves. No other method could have suited every degree of cultivation and capacity. To employ nature's universal symbolism instead of the technicalities of language, rewards the humblest inquirer, and discloses its secrets to everyone in proportion to his preparatory training and his power to comprehend them." HISTORY Mystery Schools have been in existence for millennia; their origin lost in time. Tradition ascribes the founding of the first Mystery Schools to immortal beings of godlike stature, whose compassion for mankind led them to form Mystery Schools for the evolutionary advancement of a comparatively infant humanity. These first Mystery Schools, having served their purpose, have long since vanished. Dying embers on their altars, however, were carried to altars of new temples and rekindled into burning flames, to be living messages to a humanity in great need. Notable among these various Schools formed down through the centuries are those of Isis and Osirus, the Mysteries of Dionysus, the Knights Templar, and the Brotherhood of the Golden and Rosy Cross. Noted among its various early members have been virtually all the classical scholars: Plato, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Plotinus, Procius, Porphyry, to name but a few. THE GOLDEN DAWN In more recent times, just before the turn of the twentieth century, a new and eclectic expansion of the Western Mystery Tradition for English speaking nations took form in Europe as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn. A few years later an American branch of that order was established as the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in America. Reconstituted under European dispensation, it became the Rosicrucian Order of the Alpha et Omega in America, with temples in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, with the governing or mother temple in New York, the THOTH-HERMES temple Number 9. Perhaps one of the most important events for modern man in the history of the Western Mystery Tradition occurred a little over fifty years ago when the Praemonstrator, or ruling chief, of the THOTH-HERMES Temple, along with three other Officers, reorganized and expanded the teachings of the Alpha et Omega and formed a new Mystery School operating under a new age of dispensation; to be a transitional Order to bring Piscean Age humanity into the Aquarian Age, the age of Man, or of Brotherhood and Humanitarianism. The founders of this new Mystery School have since made their transitions, but have left the vestiges of a lofty tradition capable of infinite expansion by those who hold the "keys". To the Fraternity of the Hidden Light, a lineal descendant of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and inheritor of these "keys", has fallen this task of expansion. ORGANIZATION The Fraternity of the Hidden Light is an Order of the CHURCH OF THE HIDDEN LIGHT, and constitutes the "First" or "Outer" Order of the organization, and celebrates the Lesser Mysteries. In its temples located in Los Angeles, Dallas, Tulsa, Denver, and Montreal, its Mysteries are concerned primarily with the secrets of the Genesis of Life, from whence we came, Mother Nature, and one's relationship to her. Within the CHURCH OF THE HIDDEN LIGHT, and obtainable only after passing through all the grades of the First Order, the "Second" or "Inner" Order celebrates the Greater Mysteries. Here the Mysteries are to "Know Thyself", to awaken to a deeper realization of who we really are -- our divinity as a Child (Son) of God. Guiding the CHURCH OF THE HIDDEN LIGHT and its Orders is the "Third" or "Invisible" Order concerned with the Supreme Mysteries, and composed of great and mighty souls who have attained to a full awareness of "whence they came, who they are, and whither they are going," and are now seeking a complete awareness of, and union with, the Divine Father. CURRICULUM The curriculum of the Fraternity of the Hidden Light is a structured, graduated system that utilizes grades as a means of identifying the level of a student for the purpose of receiving the ceremonial initiations, advancements, and teachings. The curriculum is personally guided, and consists of Study, Meditations, and Ritual. Its studies center primarily around the Qabalah, the Tarot, Alchemy, Hermeticism, Astrology, and Esoteric Psychology. Meditation is used to bring about an in-depth understanding of the teachings and to create in the aspirant a personal communication link with one's own Higher Self. Rituals are used for numerous purposes, the most frequent being initiatory, and are aimed at invoking quantum leaps in consciousness toward a realization of life's purpose and meaning, and thus awakening to the God who Dwells within us. An important part of our instruction involves applications of our teachings toward healing. By the use of Light and Sound, a harmonizing and equilibrating energy is released by our work for all those who are in need; be they student, friend, or foe. MEMBERSHIP The Fraternity of the Hidden Light is selective in accepting members, and seeks only those who truly desire to grow in love and who desire to serve humanity. To become an Initiated member, a minimum of three months probation is asked of those who have had no previous training in Astrology, Alchemy, Tarot and the Qabalah. As a Probationer, the student will receive the "Threshold" course which is designed to prepare the aspirant for Initiation, by providing a general overview of, and exercise in, the various esoteric disciplines. Upon completing the probationary period, or if otherwise qualified, the Probationer or petitioner must submit to an examination, demonstrating proficiency in the subjects mentioned. Completion of the Probationer Grade and passing the examination, however, is not an entitlement to full membership, but rather a condition pursuant thereto. Only those aspirants who demonstrate an open-minded willingness to learn, and a humanitarian spirit, may gain admittance to the Fraternity of the Hidden Light. HOW TO APPLY Fill in the Information and Application Sheet, and mail it to: Director of Probationers Fraternity of the Hidden Light P.O. Box 5094, Dept. S. Covina, CA 91723 along with a check or money order for $10.00 as your first month's contribution for the Threshold Course. Before applying, however, consider well the statements made in this pamphlet. The Fraternity of the Hidden Light, never urges an aspirant to become a member. This is a step one should consider, seriously without persuasion. It is a well known saying among Initiates of the Western Mystery Tradition that "When the student is ready, a teacher will appear." Are you ready? In the meantime, may the Love and Light of the Lord of the Universe Guide us all to the full realization of the Age of Brotherhood! Yours in L.V.X. The Grand Lodge Sub Umbra Alarum Tuarum Y.H.V.H. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- APPLICATION FOR PROBATIONARY MEMBERSHIP PERSONAL INFORMATION NAME: ___________________________________________________________ ADDRESS: ________________________________________________________ CITY/STATE/ZIP: _________________________________________________ BIRTH PLACE: ____________________________________________________ BIRTH DATE AND TIME: ____________________________________________ ____ MALE ____ FEMALE MARITAL STATUS: _________ EDUCATION: ______________________________________________________ OCCUPATION: _____________________________________________________ INTERESTS: ______________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ If you are a member of a secret, fraternal or philosophical organization, please give names: I hereby make application for probationary membership in the Fraternity of the Hidden Light. I have enclosed my check, cash, or money order for $10.00, my first month's contribution to "The Threshold" course. (US funds please) ________________________________________________ _____________ Signature Date PLEASE NOTE: The above information is for membership purposes only and will be kept completely confidential.