In the enigmatic realm of magical orders like the Golden Dawn, the initiation ceremonies hold a pivotal moment—the bestowing of a motto upon each candidate. This isn't merely a name for their earthly existence, but rather an occult symbol of their soul's aspirations.
Crafted as a concise expression of the magician's spiritual pursuits, these mottos typically find their form in languages like Latin, Greek, or Hebrew, setting them apart from mundane discourse and underlining the aspirant's mystical identity. Whether a single word or a profound sentence, the magical motto serves as a beacon guiding the practitioner's journey beyond the ordinary.
The sharing of these mottos is as diverse as the practitioners themselves. While some keep their mottos cloistered, reserving them for the sanctum of ritual and practice, others embrace a more open stance, sharing their mystical identities with the world.
Throughout the aspirant's progression on their magical journey, this motto becomes more than just words—it becomes their moniker, their identity. It is through this symbolic veil that they navigate the esoteric realms until they ascend to new heights.
Secrecy shrouds the identities of the Order's members, a vow sworn alongside their magical motto. This oath, binding them to keep the Order, its members, and its proceedings concealed from the world, renders the unraveling of their identities a daunting task, even after the passage of time.
Yet, traces of these mystical identities are scattered throughout various texts and documents. In Robert George Torrens' book "Secret Rituals of the Golden Dawn," glimpses of these mottos are provided, accompanied by insights into their possible meanings and origins.
Herein lie some of these evocative mottos, poised to inspire you in choosing your own mystical name:
A.M.D.G. - AD MAJORAM ADONAI GLORIAM (to the great glory of Adonai)
A.O. - AEQUO ANIMO (Equanimity)
A.P.S. - ANIMA PURA SIT (The soul is pure)
B.A.N.D. - BENEDIC ANIMO MEA DOMINO (Bless my soul Lord)
B.D. - BENEDICAMUS DEO (Bless god)
C.D.S. - CRUX DAT SALUTEM (Cross gives salvation)
C.N.E. - CARITAS NUNQUAM ENCIDIT (Charity never fails)
C.S. - CAUSA SCIENTIAE (The cause of science)
D.D. - DEO DATA (God-given)
D.D.C.F. - DEO DUCE COMITE FERO (I take god as my companion and guide)
D.E.D.I. - DEMON EST DEUS INVERSUS (Demon is God inverted)
D.P.A.L. - DE PROFUNDIS AD LUCEM (From the depths to the light)
F.F.J. - FORTES FORTUNA JURAT (Fortune favors the bold)
F.P. - FIAT PAX (Let peace be)
L.E.T. - LUX ET TENEBRIS (Light and darkness)
L.O. - LEVAVI OCULOS (I raised my eyes)
L.S. - LUCEM SPERO (I hope for the light)
M.E.V. - MAGNUS EST VERITAS (The truth is great)
M.S.R.- MAGUS SIDERA REGIT (The magician rules the stars)
N.O.M. - NON OMNIA MORIAR (Not everything will die)
N.S.N. - NON SINE NUMINE (Not without God)
O.P.V. - OMNIA PRO VERTITATE (All for the truth)
O.V. - OMNIA VINCAM (I conquer everything)
P. - PERDURABO (I will endure)
P.N.U.T. - PENES NOS UNDA TAGI (The wave of the Tagus river covers us)
Q.S.N. - QUOD SCIS NESIS (You know what you need)
S.A. - SAPERE AUDE (Dare to be wise)
S.A.B.H. - SAPIENTIS AD BENIFICENDUM HOMINIBUS (Wise to benefit people)
S.A.P. - SAPIENTIA AMOR POTENTIS (Wisdom love is powerful)
S.L.E.L.F. - SIT LUX ET LUX FIAT (Let there be light and there will be light)
S.P. - SEMPER PARATUS (Always ready)
S.S.D.D. - SAPIENTIA SAPIENTI DONA DATA (Wisdom is a gift given to the wise)
V.I. - VOLO INTELLEGERE (I want to understand)
V.N.R. - VESTIGIA NULLA RETRORSUM (No footsteps backward)
V.O. - VIRTUTE ORTA (Arising with power)
V.O.V. - VINCAT OMNIA VERITAS (Truth conquers all)
V.V.M. - VOTO VITA MEA (I wish my life)
Within these mystical names lies the essence of the aspirants' spiritual quests, each whispering of a journey embarked upon and a destiny yet to unfold.
Now, as you immerse yourself in the profound symbolism of these magical names, consider the stage of your own journey. What aspirations stir within you? What truths resonate with your soul?
Choose a name that embodies your unique quest, a beacon guiding you along the mystical path toward enlightenment.