W. E. Butler
Encyclopedia
Walter Ernest Butler was a working occultist and esoteric author in Britain. His first training in the mysteries was with Robert King
, a bishop in the Liberal Catholic Church
, who trained him as a medium. Butler later became a priest in the Liberal Catholic Church, himself. While in India
, he studied with Indian mystics and also came into contact with Theosophist
mystic Annie Besant
, who politely rejected his requests to study with her. He returned to England
and joined Dion Fortune
's Society of the Inner Light
in 1925, where he continued to train and participate until sometime toward the end of World War II
.
In 1962 he met Gareth Knight
and, with Knight, began to develop a correspondence course in Qabalah
for Helios Books. During this time he also rejoined the Society of the Inner Light
, where he met Michael Nowicki and Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki
. By 1973, the Helios Course in the Practical Qabalah had grown in popularity and was spun off to form the Servants of the Light
, for which Ernest was the first Director of Studies. He remained director of studies until shortly before his death, when he passed that responsibility to Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki
.
Robert King
Robert King may refer to:Robert King*Robert King, 4th Earl of Kingston , Irish peer, soldier and Whig politician*Robert King, Bishop of Oxford Robert King may refer to:Robert King*Robert King, 4th Earl of Kingston (1796–1867), Irish peer, soldier and Whig politician*Robert King, Bishop of Oxford...
, a bishop in the Liberal Catholic Church
Liberal Catholic Church
The Liberal Catholic Church is a form of Christianity open to theosophical ideas and even reincarnation. It is not connected to the Roman Catholic Church, which considers it heretical and schismatic...
, who trained him as a medium. Butler later became a priest in the Liberal Catholic Church, himself. While in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, he studied with Indian mystics and also came into contact with Theosophist
Theosophical Society
The Theosophical Society is an organization formed in 1875 to advance the spiritual principles and search for Truth known as Theosophy. The original organization, after splits and realignments has several successors...
mystic Annie Besant
Annie Besant
Annie Besant was a prominent British Theosophist, women's rights activist, writer and orator and supporter of Irish and Indian self rule.She was married at 19 to Frank Besant but separated from him over religious differences. She then became a prominent speaker for the National Secular Society ...
, who politely rejected his requests to study with her. He returned to England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
and joined Dion Fortune
Dion Fortune
Violet Mary Firth Evans , better known as Dion Fortune, was a British occultist and author. Her pseudonym was inspired by her family motto "Deo, non fortuna" , originally the ancient motto of the Barons & Earls Digby.-Early life:She was born in Bryn-y-Bia in Llandudno, Wales, and grew up in a...
's Society of the Inner Light
Fraternity of the Inner Light
The Fraternity of the Inner Light is a magical society and Western Mystery School.-History:In 1922, after a falling out with Moina Mathers and with Moina's consent, Dion Fortune left the Alpha and Omega and formed the Fraternity of the Inner Light as an offshoot of the Alpha et Omega. This brought...
in 1925, where he continued to train and participate until sometime toward the end of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In 1962 he met Gareth Knight
Gareth Knight
Dr. Basil Wilby, aka Gareth Knight is a British esotericist and occult author who began his esoteric training in 1953 as a member of the Fraternity of the Inner Light, founded by Dion Fortune....
and, with Knight, began to develop a correspondence course in Qabalah
Kabbalah
Kabbalah/Kabala is a discipline and school of thought concerned with the esoteric aspect of Rabbinic Judaism. It was systematized in 11th-13th century Hachmei Provence and Spain, and again after the Expulsion from Spain, in 16th century Ottoman Palestine...
for Helios Books. During this time he also rejoined the Society of the Inner Light
Fraternity of the Inner Light
The Fraternity of the Inner Light is a magical society and Western Mystery School.-History:In 1922, after a falling out with Moina Mathers and with Moina's consent, Dion Fortune left the Alpha and Omega and formed the Fraternity of the Inner Light as an offshoot of the Alpha et Omega. This brought...
, where he met Michael Nowicki and Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki
Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki
Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki is a British occult author, psychic, and esoteric practitioner. An associate of Walter Ernest Butler, she succeeded him as Director of Studies of the Servants of the Light.-Biography:...
. By 1973, the Helios Course in the Practical Qabalah had grown in popularity and was spun off to form the Servants of the Light
Servants of the Light
Servants of the Light is a modern-day Western Mystery School which teaches the esoteric sciences through correspondence. These sciences, which in their true form constitute the Yoga of the West, have previously been secret, but nowadays they can be taught in a more open fashion.SOL was founded in...
, for which Ernest was the first Director of Studies. He remained director of studies until shortly before his death, when he passed that responsibility to Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki
Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki
Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki is a British occult author, psychic, and esoteric practitioner. An associate of Walter Ernest Butler, she succeeded him as Director of Studies of the Servants of the Light.-Biography:...
.
Sources
- Knight, Gareth (2002). Servants of the Light biography of W. E. Butler. Retrieved 30 September, 2004.