John Gilbert, RIP

[ecosophia]

I learned this morning via an email from a friend and fellow initiate that John Gilbert, who brought me into the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA) and initiated me into the whole series of esoteric orders and traditions connected to it, passed away on Monday. 

I met John by way of one of those improbable cascades of events you can't get away with if you're writing fiction. I had encountered a reference to AODA in a book on American Druid groups and had tried in vain to get in touch with it.   He was at that time the president of the American Tarot Association, and I wrote to him to ask about being a presenter at a Tarot event hosted by the ATA in Portland, Oregon. After we'd talked about other things via email, I decided that since he was very knowledgeable about the US occult scene, I would ask him if he knew anything about AODA. He responded, "Why, yes.  I'm the acting Scribe of AODA these days." 

As the saying goes, things proceeded from there. 

We only met in person a few times, but we corresponded extensively via email for many years. In the process, I came to realize that John was a bridge to a world that I scarcely knew anything about back then -- the world of traditional American occultism. Born in 1938, he became active in that world when it was still thriving, and remained active all through the long years when so many people lost interest in anything that didn't have a pedigree from overseas.  He studied with Juliet Ashley and Rhodonn Starrus (Matthew Shaw), received the highest degrees of initiation in AODA, the Order of Spiritual Alchemy, the Order of Modern Essenes, and the Holy Order of the Golden Dawn, and was consecrated a bishop in the Universal Gnostic Church. He spent years trying to interest other people in these traditions, with very limited success.  Toward the end of his life, as his energy waned, he quietly wound up those efforts and focused his remaining time on his family. 

To him, and to the traditions and teachings he passed on to me, I owe more than I can possibly say. 

Farewell, John. May the Great Ones welcome you into the halls of Light. 

Comments

Bishop John Gilbert

[(Anonymous)]

Hello Michael,

I had a feeling that John had recently passed. Sadly, your post confirms it. As you know I worked with John over a period of several years and was involved in many of his Orders, especially the MOGD. Looks like we both have many precious experiences and memories associated with John and his work.

Peace and Blessings to you and to John Gilbert.

Timothy A. Storlie

Re: Bishop John Gilbert

[ecosophia]

Thanks for this! Yes, I remember we corresponded more than once over the MOGD and related subjects.

I am in the process of gathering up and circulating as much of John's teachings and writings as I can. If you post a response to this marked "Not For Posting" with your email address, I'll be happy to get you copies of what I currently have, and if you would be willing to share any of John's material that you have, I'll be grateful (and will see to it that it gets into other hands as well).