1.  Latin for "Gold of the Sun." A magical order founded in England in 1897 by George Stanton and Charles Kingold which claims descent from the Ogdoadic Tradition of the Western Mystery Tradition. It is best known through the published works of two of its leaders, Melita Denning and Osborne Phillips, pseudonyms of Vivian Godfrey and Leon Barcynski. Together, they authored many books on magical practice, such as Astral Projection and Creative Visualization, and The Magical Philosophy. More information is available on Web.

2.  An initiatic Order reactivated under this name in England in 1897 by George Stanton and Charles Kingold. Focused on Theurgy, High Magick, and Hermetism, it claims to descent from the Ogdoadic (Hermetic) Tradition of Ancient Egypt and then Greece. It is one of the main schools that offer a modern powerful training in the foundation of the Western Mystery Tradition. It is best known through the published works of three of its leaders, Melita Denning and Osborne Phillips (pseudonyms of Vivian Godfrey and Leon Barcynski), and today Jean-Louis de Biasi. Together, they authored many books on magical practice, such as Astral Projection and Creative Visualization, and the comprehensive curriculum presented in The Magical Philosophy. Jean-Louis de Biasi, nominated lifetime Grand Master, perpetuates this tradition with books such as The Divine Arcana of the Aurum Solis, Rediscover the Magick of the Gods and Goddesses, and more to come.

The Tradition of the Aurum Solis is defined by what is called the "Golden Chain" (of the Masters). This lineage is rooted in Hermetism, which is a tradition associating Theurgic practices with a rational approach to the inner mysteries of the life. The tradition first describes the high origins of the human soul and how it descended into physicality and what that means; secondly, it reveals the path by which the soul may again return to the Eternal and Supreme and what that involves.

This pre-Christian Tradition has given to humanity some of its greatest Scientists and Humanist Philosophers. Polytheism, the main religious expression of this time, provided the tradition of tolerance for any spiritual practice and experience. Many are the ways! But organization, self-discipline, and practice lead onward to the Next Step!

These progressive manifestations of non-theologic science and humanist spirituality were severely attacked during the rise of the institutionalized monotheistic religions in Europe and the Middle East, leading directly to the Dark Ages. However, in the fifteenth century, the Theurgic Neo-Platonist Ogdoadic tradition reappeared in Florence, Italy. The Renaissance was really a universal rebirth of the human consciousness igniting the beginning of modern civilization: breaking the religious and monarchist domination of human thought, science, and philosophy and leading to the industrial, technological, and information ages, to democracy and human rights and the abolition of slavery, religious tolerance, universal education, and the metaphysical traditions, etc.

From this earlier time the Theurgic/Hermetic Tradition was secretly continued in Europe until its rebirth in 1897. Aurum Solis is a unique example of an initiatic and spiritual organization that remained rooted in the original humanist spiritual values developed by the founders. From the beginning, Aurum Solis chose to maintain a clear and unique lineage, working hard to improve the visibility of the original Western Tradition. By highlighting the unique characteristics of this spiritual path, Aurum Solis is showing the urgency to see life differently. Dogmas are dangerous; chaos is risky, while rediscovering a tolerant and traditional path to the divine is paramount. This is the Modern Renaissance! For information: www.aurumsolis.info.