“I ask those who are
in sympathy with what I am doing to remember that thought power is potent for
protection and support, just as it is for attack, and to lend me their help on
the Inner Planes. My task is not a light one. But as long as I am responsible
for the conduct of this magazine I will follow the example of the Master Who,
while He had compassion for those who fainted by the way, had a scourge for the
backs of those who made His Father’s house a den of thieves.”
Dion
Fortune ~ Transactions of the Christian Mystic Lodge, July 1927
Some
nine decades ago, Dion Fortune and her Lodge were engaged in a form of
both direct and indirect warfare with the Order of the Star
in the East, a movement within the Theosophical Society, which
promulgated the "Coming of the World Teacher". Some people thought that
the World Teacher in waiting was none other than Jiddu Krishnamurti,
pictured below. At the time, some felt that Western Civilisation, as
they pictured it, was at risk of desecration and destruction if the
Order continued with its plans.
Many people have said over the years just how difficult it is to really understand or empathize with some of the more pugnacious activities of Dion Fortune and the Christian Mystic Lodge during the 1920s. Broader religious beliefs, Neo-paganism, Druidry and New Age practices have been so ubiquitous for the last half to a whole century that it can be difficult to read about the Lodge's skirmishes without some querulous amusement. Surely there were more important things to be getting on with?
Nowadays there is arguably a broader acceptance of wider spiritual beliefs and practices in families, work and wider society, making it difficult to see what all the fuss was about back then. Thankfully, that sense of West versus East (and never the twain shall meet) has lessened its strangle hold, giving way to an emerging trend for World Citizenship and the Global Village.
Many people have said over the years just how difficult it is to really understand or empathize with some of the more pugnacious activities of Dion Fortune and the Christian Mystic Lodge during the 1920s. Broader religious beliefs, Neo-paganism, Druidry and New Age practices have been so ubiquitous for the last half to a whole century that it can be difficult to read about the Lodge's skirmishes without some querulous amusement. Surely there were more important things to be getting on with?
Nowadays there is arguably a broader acceptance of wider spiritual beliefs and practices in families, work and wider society, making it difficult to see what all the fuss was about back then. Thankfully, that sense of West versus East (and never the twain shall meet) has lessened its strangle hold, giving way to an emerging trend for World Citizenship and the Global Village.
Sadly, many have opted to turn a blind eye to this period of
Dion Fortune’s life, also ignoring the Christian Science and wider Christian aspects and influences on her
life, world view and teachings. Likewise many biographers and commentators on Dion Fortune maintain a binary view of Dion Fortune as Christian DF v. Pagan DF. Importantly, this monochrome view misses the breadth, depth and strange hues that the influences of Theosophy, Psychology, Hermeticism, Co-Masonry and Tantra had on her thinking and practice. Very few seem to acknowledge that she became passionately interested in Tantra in her later years, informed by both her friendship with the academic Bernard Bromage and her correspondence with Aleister Crowley.
That line of thought is perhaps for another blog at a later time. Now - back to the Christian influence! I
can certainly relate to this turning a blind eye. Growing up in Ireland during the Troubles, I was exposed to
some of the worst excesses of human stupidity, hatred, damage and misery imaginable packaged and peddled as
Christianity. It was enough to put any sane person off it for life. Now, in
2018, things don’t seem much better with its often exclusively patriarchal view of the world, the proliferation of tsunami after
tsunami of child abuse cases and other scandals in almost all its branches.
As
someone with a pagan heart, I often have to work hard to find the
beauty, wisdom and
compassion within Christianity…to find the clear water beneath the human
excretions. However, it seems clear that if we are to more fully
understand Dion
Fortune, her life and teachings, then we really need to open ourselves
up to all of her activities and influences. On the Christian side of it I
don’t believe
we should throw the baby out with the bath water, otherwise we will miss
a deeper understanding and experience. Neo-pantheist, pagan, agnostic or
other, with
perseverance, anyone can find a rich vein to be mined in the depths of
Christianity.
There are many places to seek these treasures, although one of the most illuminating teachings is arguably the Sermon on the Mount. That was one of Dion Fortune's favourites too. The Collects are another.
There are many places to seek these treasures, although one of the most illuminating teachings is arguably the Sermon on the Mount. That was one of Dion Fortune's favourites too. The Collects are another.
Reflecting on this, I
thought I'd dedicate my next three blogs to this theme.
My next post, later this week, will cover some initial thoughts on the matter, alongside a summary of notes taken from a talk that Dion Fortune gave on Sunday the 15th of May 1927. Until then...
My next post, later this week, will cover some initial thoughts on the matter, alongside a summary of notes taken from a talk that Dion Fortune gave on Sunday the 15th of May 1927. Until then...
Nor is it a land or a thing in our normal sense of perception. My personal approach and advice, whether asked or not, is to guard against any rigidly absolute or unconditional view or approach in life, unless you are fortunate enough to be all-knowing and omnipotent.
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