The group calling itself “The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn” under the direction John David Griffin has recently posted on its website as a public service announcement titled: “Status of the Trademark of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn” a series of slanderous claims, categorically false and apparently aimed at damaging the good standing and sterling reputation of Chic Cicero, author of several popular books on the subject of the Golden Dawn and Robert A. Zink, of the Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn, which has widespread membership throughout the world. In this announcement via his website, David Griffin has effectively accused Mr. Cicero of outright lying regarding his legal standing on his claim to the Golden Dawn name and in acting beyond the scope of his authority in his actions governing his use of said name. (par.3) He has made outlandish accusations directed at Mr. Zink concerning practices occurring within the Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn, and more incredibly, he has fabricated serious moral and ethical violations involving Mr. Zink’s private affairs. (Par.4)
We believe Mr. Cicero to be a valued member of the Golden Dawn community, and while any claim to the Golden Dawn name may be open to legal debate by any party, we hold that Mr. Cicero has always acted in an honest and forthright manner in all matters regarding said name. David Griffin’s accusations have no basis in fact and can only be construed as a deliberate attempt to damage Mr. Cicero’s standing in the Golden Dawn community. (par.3) David Griffin’s accusations toward Mr. Zink are far more vicious, reaching beyond simply maligning his character and intruding deep into his personal, family life. (Par.4)
The claim that we practice any form of blood sacrifice is absurd and misleading; first of all, he offers no clear description of what he believes is in fact, being practiced by the Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn, he makes only one vague reference to it being dangerous and adjacent to Satanism. (Par.4) We will never endorse in any way asking anyone to do anything contrary to their civil, moral or religious duties; we vehemently repudiate the very notion of practicing blood sacrifice; this has never been within the corpus of tradition as handed down through S.L. Macgregor Mathers, and we strictly adhere to these traditions. Blood sacrifices have never been, nor is it, nor will it ever be practiced by the Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn, nor has this ever been practiced under the name Hermetic Order of the Morning Star; Mr. Zink nor any of his associates would in any way endorse the practice of blood sacrifices. The Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn will never, in way ask anyone to do anything contrary to their civil, moral or religious duties in any ritual or practice. In fact, the chiefs of the Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn, fully endorse and will ardently defend, anyone’s right and duty to refuse any act, ritual or practice that they feel to be in any way incongruent with their civil, moral or religious duties. David Griffin and his cohorts have no basis for this accusation and it is clearly designed to divert sincere students from joining the Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn and entering the pathway of Light. (Par.4)
Further, David Griffin vaguely claims that the Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn has engaged in “cult-like surveillance”; the article itself openly admits that this public slander is entirely based on hearsay from apparently disgruntled former members. (Par.4) The very notion of endorsing the practice of “cult-like surveillance” is incongruent with the Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn’s strict policy of never asking anyone to do anything contrary to his or her civil, moral or religious duties, and we categorically deny this ridiculous assertion. Since a poorly described accusation, based on one man’s vivid imagination and loose hearsay from dubious sources has absolutely no accusatory value; one can only conclude that this is simply unabashed slander and is motivated purely by malice.
David Griffin transcends slandering the Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn and directs his venom at Mr. Zink directly in making the boldly irresponsible accusation of statutory rape of a fifteen-year-old girl; this accusation has been made regarding his wife and magical partner of over ten years. David Griffin has publicly alleged that this couple’s relationship began when she was fifteen years of age (Par.4); this is unequivocally false, those familiar with the situation know that it is false and David Griffin knows that this is false and does not care; he apparently believes that proliferating this falsehood and maligning Mr. Zink’s character will enhance his standing in the occult community. We would hope that a man posturing himself as a spiritual leader would not feel the need to deride someone in an effort to make himself look good. (Par.4) Mr. Zink met his present partner in 1994, they were both mature individuals when their relationship began and they are still together today and are raising a family together; they maintain strong relations with both their extended families, spending holidays and special occasions with her father and other family members. Mr. Zink is a dedicated husband and father and is deeply, and rightfully, offended that David Griffin has stooped to bring his Partner and children into his caustic, slanderous attacks. This disgraceful accusation against Mr. Zink’s personal life seems to have been specifically directed toward causing irreparable harm and distress to those dearest to him. Attacking the Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn is disturbing, but not unexpected; although we will not position ourselves competitively toward David Griffin’s or any other group, he seems to regard us as competition and he appears to believe that damaging our public standing may well enhance his position; we are all adults, we can handle it, but to drag a man’s family into this is unconscionable.
We call upon David Griffin to understand that there are many Golden Dawn groups and orders, some are very traditional, and some progressive, and others are Thelemic, Pagan and even Christian in their approach to the Great Work. There has always been, there are now and always will be many valid paths available within the Golden Dawn community. These paths however varied, should all lead toward the increase of Light and the decrease of Darkness; if our ultimate goal is to invoke Light into ourselves, our loved ones and the world, then we should be able to work together as one, despite our differences. We call upon David Griffin and the entire Golden Dawn community to lay down swords and not to diminish nor hinder the Light, which circulates throughout our community and indeed, the world. Lies, slanders and innuendos serve only to elevate darkness and suppress the positive current that needs to flow within the Golden Dawn community; not to mention that it reflects poorly for anyone considering the Golden Dawn as their spiritual path. We call upon David Griffin, in the spirit of fraternity to join the Golden Dawn community and to work in harmony with those of us whom wish to make a difference in the world and to make it a better place; the Light encompasses and embraces all who will serve it in Spirit and in Truth. Let us all set aside our differences and pursue the Great Work; let us invoke Light into the world.
