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I remember being disappointed as a child when I learned that my family didn't have a motto. So I was quite delighted when I learned that mottos were used in Golden Dawn.

For those who don't know, Golden Dawn is a lodge-based fraternal Order whose members study Kabbalah and other esoteric philosophy. Its members are known by their mottos rather than their everyday names, partly because of the secrecy oaths that they swore and partly because of the effect that mottos have on its bearer. Though the years, and my involvement in the esoteric Orders, I have borne several different mottos. This has allowed me to see the effect of mottos on myself, as well as observing the effect of mottos on others. In Golden Dawn (and other esoteric Orders that use the technique), one's motto should ideally be a goal that one is striving towards. Preferably a spiritual goal.

I will admit that I have not always chosen spiritual goals. A good example is my second motto-my first motto never being a good fit, though one can still see the effect it had on my life ("From the ashes of the old shall arise the new")-Morgana Draconis. I was still deep in the throes of rebelling against my childhood when I took it. My mother never approved of my interest in esoteric subjects; also she never approved of my desires to be a writer, considering writing to be a sin. In a streak of rebellion, I combined the names of two of my favorite mythic villains, Morgana le Fay and Dracula, if she thought I was a villain and a sinner-then fine, I could play that role.

I soon started to use a variation of it as my public name (eventually adapting it as my pen-name), having promised my mother that I never do anything that would ruin her reputation. I figure if I was doing the unapproved activities under a different name, then it would not reflect badly on her reputation. Faulty logic, but at the time it had a liberating effect on me. The motto allowed me to reach past the boundaries imposed upon me, giving me a new lease on life. The use of it helped me overcome part of the abuse I suffered in my childhood.

Since then, I have taken on many other mottos (one per esoteric Order membership), most of which I put more thought into. But my second motto has became a daily part of my life (my wife still thinks it is strange to hear people call me by my legal name), and is one of the strongest influences in my life. It allowed me to think of myself as a writer-rather than a victim-a fact that allowed me to develop my skills as a writer.

I have watched the same effect happen to others. In the end, people become more like their mottos. We live in a world where a lot of people seemingly have "Anything for a buck"; how much better would the world be if more people choose a different motto?

Learn more about this author, Morgan Drake Eckstein.
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