The Art and Practice of Magick

[Unbound]

Well he says about as much as you do, it isn't clear or well-established what the exact origins are. It seems much of the modern material was 'pieced together' by Samuel Mathers and Co., but I think it's true that almost the entire system was constructed out of other materials and is really more of a system of syncretism than anything else. Most place the beginning of the order with Mathers, and then account the continuation of the lodges to Regardie whom was the first to unveil the secrets to the public.

I agree that I don't think there are any genuine groups that are directly descendant from even the Golden Dawn of Mathers and Co., the closest being those that came from Regardie's work. There are plenty of claims, but as such, in the eyes of my friend and others, they are just claims and have not been substantiated.

However, that being said, he does say GD is very tight-knit, they are a close group, often writing prefaces to eachother's books and such so it seems that there is a pretty well-established community at this point in time.

Oh, also, he said that GD was founded on Lurianic Kabbalah but over time it became less known as people were less informed. Apparently the particular temple he is part of their "specialty" is education and the most sophisticated teachings, unlike many others which only use Christian or Hermetic Kabbalah.