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Ben said... I find the notion that the story has a kernel of truth very plausible. However, it might be that Wallis Budge was totally unaware that an informal private viewing of some Egyptian relics had such significance for his guests, nor that their imagination, thrilled by the encounter, should have such potency that people are still talking about it over 100 years later. Personally, I find that scenario more likely than Ithell Colquhoun inventing it. I think this is highly likely also. (Wouldn't it be great to have a time machine and go back and see?). Yes, when some say "It is rumored that Budge allowed a Golden Dawn temple within the British Museum itself", yes, *it is rumored*, and we don't really know exactly what that means. It could be completely untrue, it could be someone's wrong impression of the situation in the BM, it could have been a rumour back then, amongst the GD themselves. It could have been an astral temple... and who knows what kind of imaginative reasoning might have been involved in thinking that Budge somehow "allowed" this. Then again, he might very well have. ~Caroline. Greetings! >> Mary Greer mentions this as well... maybe she got it from Ithell. > >I think its an urban legend that certainly is mentioned in IC - perhaps >as a surrealist act - I wonder if we are touching upon something important and elusive here. The Golden Dawn, as with other magical orders, was born out of a flexible relationship with reality; its precursors and offshoots operated similar flexible relationships. That is why the Order existed and is what makes it interesting. There will be a heady mix of imagination and truth, and small acts might acquire impressive resonances. I find the notion that the story has a kernel of truth very plausible. However, it might be that Wallis Budge was totally unaware that an informal private viewing of some Egyptian relics had such significance for his guests, nor that their imagination, thrilled by the encounter, should have such potency that people are still talking about it over 100 years later. Personally, I find that scenario more likely than Ithell Colquhoun inventing it. I do not have the books to hand - but seem to remember that the particular room was identified, being through a door off the main staircase, about halfway up. My best wishes Ben -- Ben Fernee Caduceus Books 28 Darley Road Burbage Hinckley Leicestershire LE10 2RL U.K. Private premises, visitors welcome by appointment Telephone 01455 250542 (+44 1455 250542 from abroad) Fax 0872 115 6287 (+44 872 115 6287 from abroad) Skype ben.fernee.caduceus Web page:- http://www.caduceusbooks.com