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Fraternitas Saturni (lat.: "Brotherhood of Saturn") is a German
magical order
A magical organization or magical order is an organization created for the practice of ceremonial or other forms of occult magic or to further the knowledge of magic among its members. Magical organizations can include Hermetic orders, Wiccan ...
, founded in 1926 by
Eugen Grosche a.k.a. Gregor A. Gregorius and four others. It is one of the oldest continuously running magical groups in Germany. The lodge is, as Gregorius states, "concerned with the study of esotericism, mysticism, and magic in the cosmic sense". The FS adopts a system of
degrees, ending with the 33rd as highest degree to reach this goal. The lodge claims further no political or economical objectives. It propagates ideals of freedom, tolerance and fraternity.
The Fraternitas Saturni is essentially
Thelemic
Thelema () is a Western esoteric and occult social or spiritual philosophy and new religious movement founded in the early 1900s by Aleister Crowley (1875–1947), an English writer, mystic, occultist, and ceremonial magician. The word '' ...
, in that the order accept the Law of Thelema.
History
Origins: Pansophia Lodge and the Weida Conference
The ''Fraternitas Saturni'' was founded in the wake of the so-called "Weida Conference" in 1925. It succeeded the "Collegium Pansophicum, Orient Berlin" (Pansophia Lodge), a
Rosicrucian
Rosicrucianism is a spiritual and cultural movement that arose in Europe in the early 17th century after the publication of several texts purported to announce the existence of a hitherto unknown esoteric order to the world and made seeking its ...
magical order founded by
Heinrich Traenker, a notable German occultist of the time. The Weida Conference was meant to consolidate
Aleister Crowley
Aleister Crowley (; born Edward Alexander Crowley; 12 October 1875 – 1 December 1947) was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. He founded the religion of Thelema, identifying himself as the pro ...
's claims to be the Outer Head of
Ordo Templi Orientis
Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.; ) is an occult Initiation, initiatory organization founded at the beginning of the 20th century. The origins of the O.T.O. can be traced back to the German-speaking occultists Carl Kellner (mystic), Carl Kellner, He ...
and the expected World Teacher. The conference consisted of Crowley's entourage of
Leah Hirsig
Leah Hirsig (April 9, 1883 – February 22, 1975) was an American schoolteacher and occultist, notable for her magical record, ''The Magical Record of the Scarlet Woman'', which describes her experiences as a victim of occult writer Aleister Cro ...
, Dorothy Olsen, and Norman Mudd and the members of Heinrich Traenker's "Pansophia Lodge". Traenker had served as a X° National Grand Master of the German O.T.O. under
Theodor Reuss
Albert Karl Theodor Reuss (; June 28, 1855 – October 28, 1923) also known by his neo-Gnostic bishop title of Carolus Albertus Theodorus Peregrinus was an Anglo-German tantric occultist, freemason, journalist, singer and head of Ordo Te ...
up until Reuss's death. Also attending the conference were the notable film pioneer
Albin Grau
Albin Grau (December 22, 1884 in Leipzig-Schönefeld – March 27, 1971) was a German artist, architect and occultist, and the producer and production designer for F.W. Murnau's ''Nosferatu'' (1922). He was largely responsible for the look and ...
and Gregor A. Gregorius.
The conference was not a smooth event and Traenker withdrew his support of Crowley. The differences between Traenker and Crowley led to a schism in the Pansophical Lodge between the brothers who disagreed with Crowley and those who accepted Crowley's Law of
Thelema
Thelema () is a Western esoteric and occult social or spiritual philosophy and new religious movement founded in the early 1900s by Aleister Crowley (1875–1947), an English writer, mystic, occultist, and ceremonial magician. The word '' ...
, including Gregorius and Grau. Following these differences the Pansophical Lodge would be officially closed in 1926. Those brothers of the Pansophia Lodge who accepted the teachings of Crowley would join Grosche in founding the ''Fraternitas Saturni'' - but without Albin Grau.
Founding
At Easter 1928, the ''Fraternitas Saturni'' was officially founded in Berlin. The Lodge made a formal acceptance of the
Book of the Law
''Liber AL vel Legis'' (), commonly known as ''The Book of the Law'', is the central sacred text of Thelema. Aleister Crowley said that it was dictated to him by a beyond-human being who called himself 'Aiwass'. Rose Edith Kelly, Crowley's w ...
but they would not answer to Crowley. The FS still thought of him as an important teacher and included the Law of
Thelema
Thelema () is a Western esoteric and occult social or spiritual philosophy and new religious movement founded in the early 1900s by Aleister Crowley (1875–1947), an English writer, mystic, occultist, and ceremonial magician. The word '' ...
in most of its teachings, while divorcing itself from direct contact with him. This resulted in the FS developing a different take on the idea of Thelema, which is reflected in the rituals and magical techniques of the brotherhood. The emphasis of the FS lies more on
astrological
Astrology is a range of divinatory practices, recognized as pseudoscientific since the 18th century, that claim to discern information about human affairs and terrestrial events by studying the apparent positions of celestial objects. Dif ...
and
Luciferian teachings, rather than on
Qabalah
Hermetic Qabalah () is a Western esoteric tradition involving mysticism and the occult. It is the underlying philosophy and framework for magical societies such as the Golden Dawn, Thelemic orders, mystical-religious societies such as the Bu ...
and
Tarot
The tarot (, first known as '' trionfi'' and later as ''tarocchi'' or ''tarocks'') is a pack of playing cards, used from at least the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe to play card games such as Tarocchini. From their Italian roots, ...
compared to other western magical orders founded in the early 20th century. Because of its unique approach to modern occultism, the FS is considered by many modern authors to be the most influential German magical order.
In 1936, the ''Fraternitas Saturni'' was prohibited by the
Nazi
Nazism ( ; german: Nazismus), the common name in English for National Socialism (german: Nationalsozialismus, ), is the far-right totalitarian political ideology and practices associated with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party (NSDAP) in ...
regime. Gregorius as well as other leaders of the lodge emigrated in order to avoid imprisonment, but in the course of the war Grosche was arrested for a year by the Nazi government.
After World War II
The end of World War II saw the reactivation of ''Fraternitas Saturni''. First from Riesa in Eastern Germany and later from Berlin, Gregorius tried to contact the Brothers and found lodges in several German cities. By 1957 lodges existed in Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Frankfurt and Stuttgart, with the Grand Lodge in Berlin. In 1960 the FS had, according to its membership list, about 100 members, but in 1962 internal problems led to the expulsion of several members. Following Grosche's death in 1964, the lodge experienced confusion concerning the position of Grandmaster. This resulted in a schism between the Frankfurt lodge and the main body of the Order.
In 1969 the two separate groups of the Fraternitas Saturni were reunified, ending the former conflicts.
List of grandmasters
*Gregor A. Gregorius (1928–1964) (
Eugen Grosche)
*Roxane (1964–1965)
*Daniel (1966–1969)
*Jananda (1969)
*Andrzey (1969–1977)
*Horus (1977–1978)
*Drakon (1978–1982)
*Hamupe (1983–1986)
*Babacan (1986–1990)
*Thot (1990–)
Structure
Development
Originally, there existed eight degrees within the ''Fraternitas Saturni'', not including the ''
Novice
A novice is a person who has entered a religious order and is under probation, before taking vows. A ''novice'' can also refer to a person (or animal e.g. racehorse) who is entering a profession
A profession is a field of work that has ...
'', who was not a regular member but a candidate to the Order, and the Grandmaster, which was not a degree in those days but a position held by a single master of the highest degree, guiding the affairs of the lodge. A new member of the ''
Pronaos
A portico is a porch leading to the entrance of a building, or extended as a colonnade, with a roof structure over a walkway, supported by columns or enclosed by walls. This idea was widely used in ancient Greece and has influenced many cult ...
'' held the degree of ''Neophyt'' (Apprentice), the second degree was called ''Gradus Mercurii'' (Journeyman), followed by the ''Gradus Solis'' (Master). The first degree in the second order of ''R + C'' was called the ''Gradus Pentalphae'', followed by the ''Gradus Sigilli Salomonis'' and the ''Magus Heptagrammatos''. The third order called the ''S. S. G.'', was formed by the degrees of ''Templarius'', ''Gnosticus'' and ''Magister Aquarius''.
The system of degrees was changed in 1960. After the reformation of the degree system and its expansion to 33 degrees, the ''Gradus Mercurii'' became 8°, ''Gradus Solis'' became 12° and the ''Gradus Pentalphae'' became 18°. The other Grades were repositioned as well. The ''Templarius'' were renamed ''Princeps Arcani'' (24°) and a new degree of ''Magister Templarius'' (31°) were installed.
Outline of degree system
Contents
In the 1950s, the first two degrees of the ''Fraternitas Saturni'' were of theoretical character. The first degree to be attained by work was the ''Gradus Mercurii'' (8°). The conditions centered on basic understanding of esoteric principles and a written essay. The second degree to be attained by work was the ''Gradus Solis'' (12°), which required a deeper understanding of lodge ritual and two essays. This degree qualified the Initiate to lead a lodge of the FS. Today these degrees require theoretical understanding as well as practical work in the field of occultism.
Another important degree was the ''Frater'' (4°), which contained an oath of lifelong commitment. This was later changed and the vow was made part of the attainment of the ''Gradus Solis''. After 1960, the ''Gradus Solis'' marked the member as a part of the inner order, the so-called "Grand-Lodge Fraternitas Saturni".
Much speculation has been made around the content of the ''Gradus Pentalphae'' (18°), the degree of the
pentagram
A pentagram (sometimes known as a pentalpha, pentangle, or star pentagon) is a regular five-pointed star polygon, formed from the diagonal line segments of a convex (or simple, or non-self-intersecting) regular pentagon. Drawing a circle aroun ...
or the five pointed star. As far as it is known, the work of the ''Gradus Pentalphae'' was centered on
tantric mysticism
Mysticism is popularly known as becoming one with God or the Absolute, but may refer to any kind of ecstasy or altered state of consciousness which is given a religious or spiritual meaning. It may also refer to the attainment of insight in u ...
and
sex magic
Sex magic (sometimes spelled sex magick) is any type of sexual activity used in magical, ritualistic or otherwise religious and spiritual pursuits. One practice of sex magic is using sexual arousal or orgasm with visualization of a desired resu ...
. As many faked documents have been published it is hard to verify the rumors about the contents of this degree.
The Initials of the degree of ''Gradus Ordinis Templi Orientis Saturni'' (33°) are similar to the name of the
egregore
Egregore (also spelled egregor; , ) is an occult concept representing a non-physical entity that arises from the collective thoughts of a distinct group of people. Historically, the concept referred to angelic beings, or watchers, and the specif ...
of the lodge - GOTOS.
Current lodges
Fraternitas Saturni
The ''Fraternitas Saturni'' became a legal organisation, registered as "Fraternitas Saturni,
e.v." in 1957. The ''Fraternitas Saturni'' is, beside incorporating new attempts on magic, still working on its traditional roots and enhancing the concept of "Saturn-Magic" as the center of its work. On its 75th anniversary (2003), the lodge incorporated another order of the so-called "Immanuel-succession", the "Grand-Lodge Gregor A. Gregorius". This unification effectively doubled the size of its membership. The ''Fraternitas Saturni'' claims to have working lodges in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
There was a branch in Canada (based in Toronto) in the late 1970s.
Known members
*
Albin Grau
Albin Grau (December 22, 1884 in Leipzig-Schönefeld – March 27, 1971) was a German artist, architect and occultist, and the producer and production designer for F.W. Murnau's ''Nosferatu'' (1922). He was largely responsible for the look and ...
*
Eugen Grosche a.k.a. Gregor A. Gregorius
*
Karl Spiesberger
Karl Spiesberger (29 October 1904 – 1 January 1992) was a German mystic, occultist, Germanic revivalist and Runosophist. He is most well known for his revivalism and usage of the Sidereal Pendulum for divination and dowsing and for his anti-r ...
*
Ralph Tegtmeier
Ralph Tegtmeier (born November 1, 1952), also known as Frater V∴D∴ and Frater U∴D∴, is a German occultist, a longtime member of the Fraternitas Saturni, and co-founder of the Illuminates of Thanateros.
Significance
Horst E. Miers in his ( ...
(a.k.a. Frater U∴D∴)
Offshoots
Ordo Saturni
In 1979 some brothers left the ''Fraternitas Saturni'' to form their own magical order, called the ''Ordo Saturni''. Although the original lodge kept the name by adjudication, Ordo Saturni claims the "true succession" of the order.
Communitas Saturni
In 1993 one resigned master ("Immanuel-succession") founded another Saturnian order, the ''Communitas Saturni'', in southern Germany.
See also
*
Magical organization
A magical organization or magical order is an organization created for the practice of ceremonial or other forms of occult magic or to further the knowledge of magic among its members. Magical organizations can include Hermetic orders, Wiccan ...
References
Literature
*θAythos. ''Die Fraternitas Saturni - Eine saturn-magische Loge''. (Hiram-Edition 7. Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Religions- und Weltanschauungsfragen 1979).
*Flowers, Stephen. ''Fire & Ice - The History, Structure and Rituals of Germany's Most Influential Modern Magical Order: The Brotherhood of Saturn''. (Llewellyn Publ. 1994) .
*Frater Oriphiel. ''Magische Einweihungspfade''. (Bohmeier Verlag 2005) .
*Fraternitas Saturni. ''Blätter für angewandte okkulte Lebenskunst, Bd. 1-13''. (Fraternitas Saturni 1950–63).
*Fraternitas Saturni. ''Saturn Gnosis Vol. III, No. 1''. (Fraternitas Saturni 2008).
*Frater V.D. ''Die Fraternitas Saturni heute''. (Verlag Ralph Tegtmeier Nachf. 1994).
*Frater V.D. ''Schule der Hohen Magie, Bd. 2''. (Ansata 2003).
*Haack, Friedrich-Wilhelm. ''Die Fraternitas Saturni (FS) als Beispiel für einen arkan-mystogenen Geheimorden des 20. Jahrhunderts''. (Hiram-Edition 1. Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Religions- und Weltanschauungsfragen 1977) .
*
Hakl, Hans Thomas. "Fraternitas Saturni", in: Wouter J. Hanegraaff: ''Dictionary of Gnosis & Western Esotericism''. Vol. I. Brill, Leiden 2005, pp. 379–382.
*Hakl, Hans Thomas. "The Magical Order of the Fraternitas Saturni". In: ''Occultism in a global perspective''. Edited by Henrik Bogdan and Gordan Djurdjevic, Durham 2013, p. 37-56, ().
*Hemberger, Adolf. ''Der mystisch-magische Orden Fraternitas Saturni, in 2 Bde.'' Privatdruck.
*Popiol, Alexander, Schrader, Raimund. ''Gregor A. Gregorius - Mystiker des dunklen Lichts''. (Esoterischer Verlag 2007) .
External links
*
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Esoteric schools of thought
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