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His first training in the mysteries was with [[Robert King (Liberal Catholic bishop)|Robert King]], a bishop in the [[Liberal Catholic Church]], who trained him as a [[Mediumship|medium]]. Butler later became a priest in the Liberal Catholic Church.
His first training in the mysteries was with [[Robert King (Liberal Catholic bishop)|Robert King]], a bishop in the [[Liberal Catholic Church]], who trained him as a [[Mediumship|medium]]. Butler later became a priest in the Liberal Catholic Church.


While in [[India]], he studied with [[Mysticism#Islamic mystics|Indian mystics]] and also came into contact with [[Theosophical Society|Theosophist]] mystic [[Annie Besant]], who politely rejected his requests to study with her. He returned to [[England]] and joined [[Dion Fortune]]'s [[Fraternity of the Inner Light|Society of the Inner Light]] in 1925, where he continued to train and participate until sometime toward the end of [[World War II]].<ref>[https://www.hermetik-international.com/de/mediathek/corpus-hermeticum/walter-ernest-butler-erlaeuterungen-zur-magie/ German "Erläuterungen zur Magie"]</ref><ref>[http://templeofstarlight.eu/content/we-walter-ernest-butler-1898-1978 Hermetic Order of the Temple of Starlight]</ref>
While in [[India]], he studied with [[Mysticism#Islamic mystics|Indian mystics]] and also came into contact with [[Theosophical Society|Theosophist]] mystic [[Annie Besant]], who politely rejected his requests to study with her. He returned to [[England]] and joined [[Dion Fortune]]'s [[Fraternity of the Inner Light|Society of the Inner Light]] in 1925, where he continued to train and participate until sometime toward the end of [[World War II]].<ref>[https://www.hermetik-international.com/de/mediathek/corpus-hermeticum/walter-ernest-butler-erlaeuterungen-zur-magie/ German "Erläuterungen zur Magie". Retrieved 2 September 2018]</ref><ref>[http://templeofstarlight.eu/content/we-walter-ernest-butler-1898-1978 Hermetic Order of the Temple of Starlight. Retrieved 5 September 2018]</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
In 1962 he met [[Gareth Knight]] and, with Knight, began to develop a correspondence course in [[Kabbalah|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 gained 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]].<ref>[http://www.qabbalah.de/glossar_butler.html German link: Quabbalah]</ref>
In 1962 he met [[Gareth Knight]] and, with Knight, began to develop a correspondence course in [[Kabbalah|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 gained 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]].<ref>[http://www.qabbalah.de/glossar_butler.html German link: Quabbalah. Retrieved 2 September 2018]</ref>


==Personality and personal life==
==Personality and personal life==


W. E. Butler worked many years as an [[engineer]]. Later on he was a member of the technical staff at [[University of Southampton]], [[England]].<ref>[https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/us-history-biographies/walter-butler Encyclopedia]</ref>
W. E. Butler worked many years as an [[engineer]]. Later on he was a member of the technical staff at [[University of Southampton]], [[England]].<ref>[https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/history/us-history-biographies/walter-butler Encyclopedia. Retrieved 5 September 2018]</ref>
By the 1970s, Butler was living in a Tudor [[cottage]] with limestone walls and a thatched roof, Little Thatches, which was located in Hillstreet, [[Calmore]].{{sfn|Chapman|1993|pp=105–106}}
By the 1970s, Butler was living in a Tudor [[cottage]] with limestone walls and a thatched roof, Little Thatches, which was located in Hillstreet, [[Calmore]].{{sfn|Chapman|1993|pp=105–106}}
Chapman met Butler in the 1970s, noting that he had a Yorkshire accent,{{sfn|Chapman|1993|p=107}} and commenting on a "paternal sort of goodness about him".{{sfn|Chapman|1993|p=105}} She moreover highlighted that he had "the very pale white skin of a Celt, a round face, thin lips, and a kindly smile."{{sfn|Chapman|1993|p=105}}
Chapman met Butler in the 1970s, noting that he had a Yorkshire accent,{{sfn|Chapman|1993|p=107}} and commenting on a "paternal sort of goodness about him".{{sfn|Chapman|1993|p=105}} She moreover highlighted that he had "the very pale white skin of a Celt, a round face, thin lips, and a kindly smile."{{sfn|Chapman|1993|p=105}}

Revision as of 07:28, 5 September 2018

Walter Ernest Butler (August 23, 1898 – August 1, 1978), was a working occultist, author and the Founder and first Director of Servants of the Light in Britain.[1]

Early life

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.

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.[2][3]

Career

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 gained 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.[4]

Personality and personal life

W. E. Butler worked many years as an engineer. Later on he was a member of the technical staff at University of Southampton, England.[5] By the 1970s, Butler was living in a Tudor cottage with limestone walls and a thatched roof, Little Thatches, which was located in Hillstreet, Calmore.[6] Chapman met Butler in the 1970s, noting that he had a Yorkshire accent,[7] and commenting on a "paternal sort of goodness about him".[8] She moreover highlighted that he had "the very pale white skin of a Celt, a round face, thin lips, and a kindly smile."[8]

Bibliography

  • Apprenticed to Magic, 1962
  • How to Develop Clairvoyance, 1968
  • How to Read the Aura, 1971
  • How to Develop Psychometry, 1971
  • How to Develop Telepathy, 1975
  • Lords of Light: The Path of Initiation in the Western Mysteries, 1990
  • Magic and the Qabalah, 1964
  • Magic: Its Ritual, Power and Purpose, 1952
  • Practical Magic and the Western Mystery Tradition, 1986
  • The Magician: His Training and Work, 1959

Sources

Footnotes

Sources

Barrett, David V. (2011). A Brief Guide to Secret Religions: A Complete Guide to Hermetic, Pagan and Esoteric Beliefs. London: Constable & Robinson. ISBN 978-1849015950. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
Chapman, Janine (1993). Quest for Dion Fortune. York Beach, Maine: Samuel Weiser. ISBN 978-0877287759. {{cite book}}: Invalid |ref=harv (help)
Knight, Gareth (2002). Servants of the Light biography of W. E. Butler. Retrieved 30 September 2004.