Esoteric Order of the Golden Dawn  Types of Esoteric Orders and
the Three Order System of the Golden Dawn  by David Griffin
G.H. Fra Lux Ex Septentrionis  Imperator, H.O.G.D., Archon
Basileus, A.O.  In modern esotericism, there exist three types
of esoteric orders. These fall into two general categories;
symbolical and operative. Among the operative orders, there are
those which are analogical (lunar) or direct (solar). At the
simplest level we find the "symbolical" orders like Freemasonry
and the outer order of the original Hermetic Order of the Golden
Dawn. In these orders, spiritual wisdom is presented in
symbolical form; either exclusively during the initiation
rituals in the case of Freemasonry, or together with
supplemental study materials as in the case of the original
Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in the outer.  At the more
advanced level come the so-called, "operative" orders. Operative
orders employ special magical or alchemical "operations" for
spiritual development. In a further distinction,