Initiatic Regularity

Many times it is asked - what is the connection between the various sites and groups which use the name The Order of the Lily and the Eagle?

A visitor to the various Internet sites would find it difficult to distinguish between the formations, and given the pace of modern life, will have little interested and time to distinguish between the claims and counter-claims that are made by each.

In order to understand the state of things, it is necessary to out-line the historical development of the Order in brief, and to do so - hopefully - without contention. This will enable us to gain an understand of the origin of these various branches of the OLE.

The Order of the Lily and the Eagle was founded in Cairo in the year 1915, by Marie Routchine-Dupré and had the following succession for its 'Governance'.^[1]

Based on the written wishes of the last 'Governor' listed above, and having searched for a suitable candidate to succeed him in the then active centres of both France and Greece^[2], G Agathos nominated V. Gouletas and M. Weill as his joint successor.

This had the effect of terminating the period of waiting that the Order was obliged to undergo, in the expectation that one of the children of the founder would assume the leadership of the Order. This was not to be and by 1957 Agathos, after a long period of contemplation, decided to return the Order to the founding principal of 'dual leadership' of both a female and a male representative that corresponds to the Work of Love and the Work of Wisdom. It also allowed for an overall leader to be based in Paris and in Athens which overcame, to some extent, the difficulties associated with maintaining a good and close communication between the two centres.

On the death of Agathos, his wishes were put into effect and V. Gouletas and M. Weill took over the responsibility for the Order of the Lily and the Eagle.

Forty days^[3] after his death, an Astronomer and a young woman approached the leadership of the Order in Athens, claiming to be the incarnation of Deon and Dea.^[4] This approach was taken very seriously as the man had knowledge of Astrosophy which is considered to be an advance topic of study for the members of the Order. In short, his claim was accepted and was given unprecedented access not only to the documents of the Order, but also influence over the governance of the Order and its direction. As a result of this, all activity within the Order was suspended whilst the 'new Deon' assessed the state of the Order.

One year after the arrival of the Astronomer,^[5] some 30-35 members of the Order - mainly those who had been initiated and active in Egypt - started to protest at this lack of Initiatic activity within the Order. It was from this point onwards that various fault-lines started to appear within the Order. Numerous attempts have been made since that time to restore the unity and a single command structure to the Order, all have been unsuccessful. 

Apart from the suspension of activities, it appears that the leadership of the Order also acted in contradiction to the Rules and Regulation that had been set out not only to protect each member of the Order, but also the Order itself. Main amongst these, was the requirement that any person wishing to be a member of the OLE, has to pass and complete the stage of adherent. In the case of this 'new Deon and Dea' this requirement was over-looked. It was also significant that it was incumbent upon the leadership to maintain the purity of the work which the founder and co-founder bequeathed to the Order. This too was and is ignored, contrary to the implicit instructions of the previous Governors of the Order not to introduce and mix in doctrines from other traditions with those of the OLE. Often one will find a mixing of all sorts of traditions with the Teaching of the Order within it being clear what comes from the Teachings of the Order and what does not. This is very significant because if the stated aim of the Order is to help individuals become 'free and independent' human beings, based and guided by the Teaching of the Order, then such additions can only obsure rather than enlighten.

On the other hand, it is true to say that the leadership of the OLE were people of good will and dedicated their lives and wealth to the OLE.It can also be claimed - with some justification - that they were indeed acting within their rights as laid down by the rules that govern the OLE.Nevertheless, since that time, there has been a dispute as to who can claim to be the true representative of the Order - or who can be considered  'regular' and who is not.Accordingly, this dispute has also extended to who can rightly claim to govern the Order and who must submit. And in truth, this is the major difficulty when it comes to the unification of the various branches of the Order. 

So where does this leave the visitor to the various web sites?  To answer this, we must return to stated aims of the OLE itself.

The Order of the Lily and the Eagle was formed with the purpose of helping any individual of good intent, to form their own free and independent personality. Additionally, the Order encourages all its members to act in society by practicing charity - the helping of anyone who is suffering, whether it be physically, psychically or spiritually. If this basic work is being carried, following the approach and methodology that the founder of the OLE wished, then we can say that the formation has 'Initiatic Regularity'.

Unfortunately most organisations have the tendency to introduce the weaknesses of its members within its own structures. It is not uncommon to find administrative positions being filled not on the basis of merit and ability, but on the basis of family ties or personal friendship - nepotism. Also organisations have a tendency to becomes either a social club - and is concerned with its own perpetuation - or it becomes the organ of power of a particular individual or group of individuals who then use it to impose its will on the members.Of course the Order was founded expressly to counter such tendencies as its character is that of the 'impersonal'.

Having said that, a number of the formations of the OLE will attempt to show their 'regularity' by referring to charters and documents that prove their rights as regard to the overall governance of the OLE. But as we have said, if the Order or the formation in question is not helping people to form their own personality - the main work of Initiation - then the various claims supported by documents, copyright and charters are indeed of little worth.

Now there are many examples in the history of Initiation, of individuals who did not have the apparent authority to initiate or act in accordance with official charters and documents, who nevertheless received from the invisible the mandate to do their work. One such example was Mahatma Gandhi - a humble man who was able to bring the British Empire to its knees through the practice and avocation of non-violence and truth in all situations. If we search, it is possible for everyone to such examples of individuals who have such a mandate. Conversely, there have been many formations whose aim has been fulfilled a long time ago - who remain little more than empty shells when compared with their original purpose.

At the end of the day, any person who is interested in following the path of Initiation must make their own judgement.

If the group that they propose to join is sincere in its aim to help in the evolution of Man, are actively pursuing the application of the Teaching, then they have chosen well.If not, then they should leave and find another organisation which adheres to the true path of Initiation.

Of course, this advise is not just limited to the Order of the Lily and the Eagle, but is applicable to all initiatic groups and societies. We should be clear before we start on a particular path what exactly is expected of us and what we can expect from such an organisation.

In conclusion, the Order of the Lily and the Eagle does not claim to have the one and only truth. There are many paths that an individual can follow the Order is one of these.

18 August 2008 - KP

Commandery of Attica in the West