The Golden Dawn Equinox Ceremony

Twice a year, at the spring and autumn equinoxes, Golden Dawn temples held a ceremony in which the officers of the Neophyte Hall gathered around the altar with its symbols of the four elements. Offices were held for six months, so the outgoing officers laid down their insignia. The officers in turn invoked the powers of their stations and the elements, the new officers were installed, and the new password, a divine name chosen for the half-year, was announced and its meaning explained. The rite combined administrative renewal with a symbolic re-balancing of the elements. The Inner Order observed its own festival of Corpus Christi separately.

Purpose

The ceremony marked the turning of the half-year in the temple, renewed the link of the members with the order's current, and introduced a new password.

Timing

Season / time

The sabbat of Ostara

Held at the vernal equinox (Sun entering Aries) and again at the autumnal equinox (Sun entering Libra); the solar field marks the spring occurrence.

Materials

• symbols of the four elements on the altar
• incense
• lamp

Tools

• officers' insignia and wands
• altar