Women of the Golden Dawn: Rebels and Priestesses: Maud Gonne, Moina Bergson Mathers, Annie Horniman, Florence Farr

by Mary K. Greer

Book Overview

These four remarkable women, core members of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, left a lasting imprint on the politics, literature, and theater of 19th-century Europe. Less well-known than the famous men in their lives, including Yeats and Shaw, their stories are now told.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892816074
• ISBN13: 9780892816071
• Release Date: October 1996
• Publisher: Park Street Press
• Length: 512 Pages
• Weight: 1.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Women I would have liked to have known

This was a well-written and entertaining book. I have read other books which gave information on each of these five women, but this was the first which gave such great information on their occult lives. I was impressed by the historical research done on these impressive women. O! To have lived in London,Dublin and Paris during those times.Florence Farr seemed to me to be especially appealing; intelligent,talented and brave at same time. Ms. Greer has written a work to be proud of. It actually caused me to learn the Tarot.

extensively researched book brings characters to life!

This well written and extensively researched book gave me great insight into the Women of the Golden Dawn. One gets very accustomed to reading only about the male Golden Dawn figures such as Aleister Crowley and Samuel MacGregor Mathers. Finally, a book about the women and what interesting lives they led!I liked the way Mary Greer divided the 4 featured women into different archetypes, thus explaining the different roles they had within the Golden Dawn. It also gives contemporary women role models and a deeper understanding of our own psyches. The book was a fascinating read into these women's lives, what they accomplished and how powerful they truly were during the Victorian era!

Interesting Read

The role of the women who were involved in the Birth and Death of the Order has largely been overlooked.It is highly recommendable if you would like a differing view of the rise and fall of the Order; it is an interesting combination of romance, drama, gossip, and historical information (Although I cannot attest to its accuracy). You are exposed to the flaws of the founders, and their weaknesses. While some of the interaction between members could come right out of Jerry Springer, it is still highly commendable.I must admit I had a difficult time putting this book down.

An entertaining and scholarly book

Women of the Golden Dawn addresses a subject that is rarely touched on in other books on the Occult Revival: the role of the women in this movement. Mary K. Greer weaves a tapestry of astrology, tarot, metaphysics, biography, and history. The book elucidates many magickal principles as skillfully as it recounts the story of four uncommon women. The extensive endnotes are especially intriguing; tarot readers will be very interested at the in-depth records of Golden Dawn tarot readings and interpretations.

Good for fans of magic and the Golden Dawn

The Golden Dawn magical order was founded in 1888. Although it admitted women, they have been often overlooked in histories of the GD.Mary Greer redresses this oversight.The four women in question are Annie Horniman, actress and writer Florence Farr,freedom fighter for Ireland Maud Gonne and the mystical Moina Bergson Mathers.Greer claims that these women were the true heart and soul of the Golden Dawn, and it is hard not to agree with her.Each woman had exceptional talents, and each made her own unique contribution to this magical Order.Much research has gone into this book and it is packed with information not easily found on the subjects.Interesting details of some of the magical workings are given, including some by Maud Gonne and W.B.Yeats.The personal relationships, the bickering, the magic--it's all here.